Look for the signs indicating the public access points. Here is the list from North to South along Gulf of Mexico Drive:

North Shore Road, Coral Avenue, Palmetto and Seabreeze, Broadway, Beachwalk, Gulfside Road, Atlas Street, Hilton, Longview Drive, Mayfield Street, Westfield Street, Triton Street, Neptune Street

North Lido Beach, a good beach for privacy, is just north after you have gone through St. Armands Circle. Parking is limited, but a great beach.

Lido Public Beach is everything you expect in a public beach: a great beach, snack pavilion, play ground, picnic tables and good parking. It is located about 1/2 mile south of the circle.

South Lido Park is at the south end of Lido Key. Good parking and a "back to natural Florida" atmosphere. Large pines and trails into the interior make this a wonderful spot. Good parking and picnic tables complement this park.

A wide award-winning beach with numerous access points in addition to the two main ones. Siesta Village, with its numerous shops, sets the tone.

Siesta Public Beach - you can't miss it — it's big. Even with its large parking lot, its popularity means finding a space on busy days can be a problem. If you like people and a great beach, this is the place.

Turtle Beach is near the southern end of the key. Good parking, playground, and walkovers to the beach.